What Is Celiac Disease and Who Does It Affect?

According to Medical News Today, "in the USA about 1 in 133 people suffer from Celiac disease"[1].    Celiac disease is a genetic disorder causing intolerance to gluten, which is found in wheat, and is composed of a number of different proteins.  Living by a gluten-free diet is quite important for celiac patients to avoid the many painful side effects of this life-long disease. "Gluten Free has become shorthand for foods that don't harm celiacs."[2]  After being diagnosed, the treatment for Celiac disease appears to be simple: eliminate virtually all gluten from your diet, which is found most commonly in grains such as wheat, rye, barley, and triticale.  These grains can often be translated into cookies, pizza, bread, and pasta.  Eliminating gluten is made much easier when brands, such as KIND Fruit and Nut bar, clearly advertise the presence or absence of gluten in their packaging.  This is done once the manufacturer follows the FDA's labelling guidance for Gluten Free products, and has taken measures to control and avoid risks of cross contamination. 

Symptoms and Side Effects

It has been reported that well over 2 million people in the U.S. are suffering from gluten sensitivity.  The truth is, many more people are suffering from less severe cases of gluten-sensitivity, and do not even realize they have it.  Moderate cases of celiac disease involve symptoms such as upset stomach, bloating, or fatigue after consuming gluten, and can lead to unhealthy weight loss and malnutrition.  Some Celiac patients have been previously misdiagnosed to have Irratable Bowl Syndrome.   If you frequently experience these symptoms after meals, you may want to contact your doctor to arrange a screening for Celiac Disease.  Other side effects such as dental enamel deterioration and premature osteoperosis have also been linked to gluten-sensitivity.  While physical symptoms are commonly seen with patients, the body can often times suppress the outward signs of gluten-sensitivity, making it quite difficult to diagnose.  "Not all people with the disorder experience symptoms and may simply be suffering from hidden nutrient deficiencies."[3]  Physicians are now able to screen blood samples for the presence of Celiac Disease with fairly high accuracy.

Children and Celiac Disease

Children often times exhibit the side effects of gluten-sensitivity differently than adults, often times with behavioral or concentration problems.  It is especially important to screen for gluten-sensitivity at a young age, as the side effects involved with Celiac Disease can lead to further damage.  The sooner a child with Celiac is introduced to a gluten-free diet, the better they will be equipped for successful academic and social life.  Left untreated, Celiac Disease can ultimately be life-threatening, though with proper care and the understanding of a gluten-free lifestyle, the prognosis for celiacs can be very postive.

Dermatitis Herpetiformis

Celiac patients are not the only ones who struggle with sensitivity to gluten.  Dermatitis Herpetiformis, or more commonly known as DH, is a skin condition in which the small intestine is damaged by gluten.  "The antibodies related to gluten sensitivity are deposited in the skin and are expressed as an itchy, blistering rash."[4]  Most often appearing on the head, back, knees, or elbows of a DH patient, this rash causes DH to be much easier to diagnose than Celiac Disease.  Symptoms should be reported to your doctor immediately in order to begin treatment with a gluten free diet before the rash becomes debilitating.

"Changing lifelong eating habits can be difficult, grocery shopping and eating in restaurants can be stressful ordeals for those with the condition."[5]  Our KIND bars proudly offer you a delicious Gluten Free* snack with wonderful nutritional benefits your taste buds will thank you for.

*Every KIND bar is FDA approved to be Gluten Free except for the Banana Oatbran variety, due to the gluten naturally found in the oat ingredient.  This flavor is made at the end of the day, when every other bar is finished being packaged, which assures no risk of cross contamination in the factory.  You can rest assured your KIND snack is as good for your body as it is tasty.  Get your KIND bars here.

 

Sources

1. Content provided by MayoClinic.com. Celiac Disease. December 14, 2006. Medical News Today.

2. Adams, Scott. What is Gluten?  What is Gliaden?  Celiac.com

3. Gruenemay, Jennifer.  Achieving a Gluten Free Diet.  April 24, 2005.  LifeScript.com

4. Corcoran, Julia. Gluten Intolerance Can Damage Your Health, and Its Hard To Spot.  February 26,      2006.  Columbia University.

5. Gluten Free Living.  Frequently Asked Questions.  Glutenfreeliving.com